Creating Special Family Rituals for Lifelong Memories

Establishing regular family rituals whether a weekend hike, family movie night, or special holiday traditions build strong bonds and memories that last a lifetime. These are the memories that we so often think of first when reflecting fondly on our own childhood. They reinforce a sense of security along with the message that we are a loving, close family circle that enjoy each other. Family traditions also contribute to a child’s sense of identity and personal code of ethics.

For my children one of their favorite regular rituals we have is family movie night. We spread an old sheet on the family room floor for a picnic dinner that includes popcorn, fruits and vegetables and some dessert treats along with a family friendly movie. The sheet that my sons think of as the great picnic blanket is my Mom trick for easy clean up afterwards. We use a sturdy tray for the drinks to minimize any potential spills. For New Year’s Eve we make this a pajama party with noise makers and decorations, and for any of us still awake we watch the ball drop in New York Times Square after the movie is over.

Our family has various traditions for different holidays around food and religious and spiritual meaning, such as for Passover and the Seder service that retells the story and meaning. We continue a holiday ritual that my mother started when we were little for the eight nights of Hannukah. Each night our sons get a different gift starting with the smallest gesture of chocolate coins (called “gelt”) to a paperback book to their more substantial gifts the last couple of nights. One night each person picks a cause or charity they care about to make a donation to as our family Hannukah gift. That night the donation is my sons’ gift. Many Jewish families have very special Shabbat (Sabbath) traditions that include lighting the candles, blessing the Challah bread and wine/grape juice, and eating a family dinner together.

My sister has a wonderful tradition at Thanksgiving for each person at the table to talk about what they are most thankful for – what better way to start the meal?